June 2007 - Post Selection

ON : Chances Of Success

Day: 2
Time: 13.20 Scene: SaiJad II Observation Platform

Lars continued to gaze at the town and its inhabitants, for despite the information offered by Sai and Jad(npcs), he couldn't help coming to the conclusion that these two were hiding something, or at thevery least, being a triffle conservative with the truth. He didn't needhis Exec nor the ship's Counsellor, to confirm the physical and mentalcondition of these people. It was clear to him that they had suffered andwere indeed still suffering, while they went about their miserableexistence on this ship.

"Lars..." Hulanda(npc) said as she too looked at the forlorn groups of figures as they seemingly ambled aimlessly around their town. "The Prime Minister will never accept to take on such a daunting responsibility as this." She added waving her right hand at thescene before them.

"I understand your concerns, Hulanda, but right now we have other priorities to examine and take care of, and preferably before we canaccept Sai and Jad's proposals. At first sight, these people appearaltogether to be in a fairly wretched state of affairs. Goodness knowswhat the status is regarding their personal health? To be perfectlyhonest, I won't be at all happy until the CMO and her team have been ableto examine each and every one of them. I hate to say it, but right now Ibelieve that even the Counsellor, Lieutenant Tyvek, is going to have hishands full." Lars quietly explained to her, his grave concerns werereflected clearly in his eyes.

"I know that you will do all that you can to help these people, Lars, but even I can see that it will be a difficult task to fulfil, giventhe numbers that are here." She replied. "Did they just expect that we'dconveniently take these people off their hands, a means to clear whateverconscience they may think they have?" She said, the distress comingthrough her words.

Lars recognized that the Dyermians did have personal feelings, even if they didn't always openly show them. As he stood there, he knew that what she said was right. Sai and Jad seemed to have no real conscience at all. They had a task to carry out, and this is precisely what they have done, and to the letter. Regardless of what hethought about it all, he would have to cast his personal feelings asideand deal with the problem head on. No matter how Sai and Jad saw theircargo, these were beings, people who had their own thoughts and feelings.He was not about to let them down if he could avoid doing so.

"We need to find an alternate home for these people." Lars said suddenly as he turned to face Hulanda. "Do you think that there is even the faintest possibility that your own cartographers may have charted an M class planet within this sector?" He asked her, feelinghopeful of a positive response on the subject.

"I am unable to confirm nor deny of such a planet's existence, however, when we return to your ship, I will begin to take up this line of enquiry through my government." Hulanda replied as a bright smile began lighting up her face.

"Excellent. For the moment, I think that I've seen enough." He said, thenlifting his face, "Sai!" He called out as he turned away from the scene infront of them.

"Captain Persson, how may I be of service to you?" The disembodied voice of Sai asked him."I must ask that you return us to my ship. We have a great deal to prepare and organize if we are to help you and your people. When thepreparatory work has been done, and following a good night's sleep, myteams will return to your ship, and with your permission, begin theirtasks. My executive officer, Cmdr Vahl will return in my place. She isbetter prepared to direct her specialist skills in helping your people toadapt from their old surroundings to their new lives. In the meantime,Miss Ankomel and I will work towards achieving a home for your people.This is something that can only be done from my ship." He explained toSai.

"I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing for us, Captain. I lookforward to meeting your people and seeing how they work. Until tomorrow."Sai said briefly.

There was a blinding flash of light, and before there was time to realize what had occurred, both Hulanda and the Captain were standing on the bridge of the USS Dark Matter once again. As Hulanda leftto carry out her enquiries, there was a look of genuine surprise on thefaces of the bridge crew as their Captain returned. Without further ado,Lars set about explaining to Claryx, precisely what needed to be doneabout helping those aboard the massive alien vessel.

"I contacted those aboard the Ferengi ship in the hope that they may havethe whereabouts of an M class planet we could use as a new home for Sai'speople, but as usual, it was like trying to prize latinum from a deadFerengi's hand. They appear to be desperate to trade with Sai's people,but they don't seem to want to help themselves by helping us first."Claryx said with a heavy sigh.

"As much as can be expected, eh number one? Well, from what I have observed, I doubt that these people have anything of value to trade with the Ferengi anyway. It will be all that we can do to help thesepeople become readjusted to accept their new surroundings, that is if wecan indeed find them a home.

"For the moment, we must ascertain the true physical and mental health of these people. Only then, can we begin to estimate our chances of success." Lars replied and then he added, "There is a fair possibility that we may be able solve the problem of providing these people with real homes to live in, if of course, we succeed inlocating a planet for them. Now," He said as he turned to face Claryx. "Iwant all senior officers to assemble in the Briefing Room at 14.30 hours.I think that you'd better include June Craig while you're at it."

OFF :

Captain Lars Persson
CO
USS Dark Matter